Iowa lawmakers advanced House File 2709 (HF 2709) in February 2026 to help farmers repair their own agricultural equipment more easily.

•  Status (as of early March 2026): Introduced and placed on the House calendar February 24, 2026, after the House Agriculture Committee approved its predecessor (HSB 751) with an 18-5 bipartisan vote around February 18–19. It remains active and eligible for full House debate and vote. The 91st General Assembly session ends April 21, 2026—no floor action or Senate progress reported yet.

•  Main Requirements: Manufacturers (e.g., John Deere) must provide owners and independent repair shops with documentation, parts, embedded software, firmware, diagnostic tools, and authorized data on fair and reasonable terms and costs—matching what authorized dealers get. Covers tractors, combines, sprayers, balers, and crop-related machinery; excludes aircraft, irrigation gear, and recreational vehicles.

•  Protections: No forced trade-secret disclosure beyond repair needs; no emissions tampering allowed; preserves safety/liability rules and warranties; voids restrictive contracts.

•  Support: Backed by Iowa Farmers Union, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, and bipartisan committee members. Addresses high dealer costs, harvest-season delays, and declining farm incomes in a major ag state.

•  Opposition: Mainly from manufacturers like John Deere, citing IP risks, cybersecurity, safety concerns—amid federal FTC scrutiny.

•  Context: Part of national Right to Repair push (e.g., Colorado’s 2023 farm law; 50+ similar 2026 bills in other states). Success in Iowa could pressure broader voluntary changes.

Check legis.iowa.gov for updates (search HF 2709). This highlights tensions between equipment ownership rights and manufacturer control in digitized agriculture.

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